Nicolás Lodeiro

[Cedric]

Nicolás Lodeiro (21 march 1989, Uruguay) just signed a contract for 2,5 years, with an option for 2 more years. He previously played for Club Nacional, who annouced a transfer fee of 4 millions € with a percentage of 15% on the next sale.

Lodeiro's contract will start on 1 february 2010.

[Kowalczyk]

Never heard of the guy. I don't know what to think. Do we need extra midfielders...?

I wouldn't call it totally irresponsible to spend 4 million euros on a youngster like this, but it's still a considerable amount of cash. It's not like we got him on the cheap or something. 4 million euros; that's a pretty serious purchase. Not a "let's give this kid a go and see what happens" kind of purchase. He will have to be good.

K.

[Orange14]

Suarez appears to have had a role in bringing him over. If this prompts Luis to stay one more year it is well worth the money!

[Cedric]

Ajax have a lot of midfielders, but not a single convincing offensive midfielder. Aissati is not a "10" and didn't played a lot of good games so far, De Jong's developpement is worrying and Eriksen is 17.

If Lodeiro can be a sort of Sneijder, those 4 millions are peanuts.

[Kowalczyk]

So, he is a 'number 10' type player?

That would make him useful.

We don't need another Gabri/Lindgren/Enoh/De Zeeuw type, though... I thought he was a player in that category...

K.

[Cedric]

So, he is a 'number 10' type player?

It seems so, according to Jol, Suarez, some members of the Dutch Zone, etc. He can also play on the left, but from what Jol said, he'll play as a #10.

[SPL]

I would agree with you Cedric and hope he can become a good no 10, We sure do need one.

AZ, who have far less money than Ajax, were prepared to pay 3.5m euros . 4m is nothing compared to the 16m euros so far wasted on Sulejmani!!!!!

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

I will go on a limb here and say that he will be the south american version of Rafael Van der Vaart

[Manneken Pis]

Seems alright....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMjc2X0m4pI

[aveslacker]

I'm starting to get a little excited about this fellow. Now if only we could find similarly-rated defenders for the same price.

[Blind3]

We've batted 50% with Uruguayans in recent years...Suarez rated a boom and Silva a bust . All signs point to Nicolas Lodeiro looking like he can do the business . Still , like the guy in Missouri said , Show me .

[gordonvandekamp]

If nothing else I'm encouraged we didn't end up paying twice this price to get him from Groningen or Utrecht and we (sort of) scouted him at least outside of Europe.

[Over Pasanens Head]

What I cannot understand that if this chap is so fantastic why is he :-
(a) wanting to come to ply his trade in Holland when I would have thought Spain or Italy would have been more attractive to him. The only thought I had was that Suarez being here had a big influence over his decision. Did Suarez tap him up?
(b) so inexpensive.

[Cedric]

Suarez is indeed the big reason why Lodeiro signed at Ajax, I think he did everything he could do.
But that doesn't explain much why Lodeiro went to Holland. That said, you can also wonder why Suarez went to FC Groningen for 1,5 millions €. But who cares now?

[gordonvandekamp]

As was said Suarez had a lot to do with it. I also think young players are getting smarter (well some of them), in that at his age, they are going to develop better at a club like Ajax (or really any non top-tier league), rather than sit in the reserve system at a big club for a few years. I think the way big clubs have spent in recent years (Chelsea and Real Madrid being examples) is a part of this. It's much harder to work up the ladder at a big club than go to a smaller club and impress.

A few good years for a club like Ajax and then they can make a move for more money to a bigger club when they're ready and actually get to play. It's the smarter career choice for the player. When Suarez moved to Groningen, I don't think many people thought he was ready for a top-tier club, and same for Lodeiro today.

[SPL]

Well he hasn't got his work permit so cannot train at present. Jol hopes he may be available for Twente.

[SPL]

He has now got his work permit so should be available for Twente

[Blind3]

Excellent !! Hope he shines bright at # 10, though staying healthy and contributing even a little offensively would make him better than what we've had this year.

[Rooie]

He arrived today and said he was tired but fit for our match this weekend.

[ajaxcolombia]

Anybody know how Lodeiro is progressing? is he expcted to return to the field soon?

[Tom_]

Oh yeah, I remember him... what happened? Is he injured?

[Orange14]

Oh yeah, I remember him... what happened? Is he injured?

Foot or ankle (can't remember) from the WC this past summer. I believe he is back in training now.

[souras84]

I think he broke his foot in the quarter final in the WC. In a way nobody understood. 3-4 months out If I remember corectly. So, it's November I think.

[paladinby]

The foot wasn't broken, the split was diagnosed after the quaterfinal game at WC. I saw reports that he had already started training on individual schedule.

[Kowalczyk]

Back in training today! Just running (no ball yet), but still.

K.